Kuwait raises security alert level at oil and commercial ports
September 20, 2019, 11:59 am

Kuwait raises security alert level at oil and commercial ports

The decision comes after recent attacks on oil facilities in Saudi Arabia. (File photo AFP)

Kuwait raised its security alert level at oil and commercial ports on Friday, according to Kuwait News Agency (KUNA), citing a decision by the trade and industry minister.

"The decision emphasizes that all measures have to be taken to protect the vessels and the ports facilities," it said.

The decision follows an announcement from Kuwait’s army on Wednesday that it was raising its readiness levels and carrying out military exercises, amid soaring regional tensions after neighboring Iran was accused of attacking Saudi Arabian oil infrastructure.

The announcement comes after two important oil production facilities in neighboring Saudi Arabia were hit by drones and missiles on September 14. All indications show that Iran is in some way responsible for the attacks, the Pentagon said on Thursday.

Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman said on Monday that Iranian threats against the Kingdom affect the Middle East and the world during a phone call with US Secretary of Defense Mark Esper.

On Friday, a top military advisor to Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei said that Iran will respond from the Mediterranean to the Indian Ocean, the semi-official Mehr news agency reported.

An Iranian naval commander previously boasted they could seize any ship, any time, even if accompanied by US or UK naval forces.

The US, UK, Australia, Saudi Arabia, UAE and Bahrain have formed the International Maritime Security Construct (IMSC), a US-led a US-led international alliance that aims to protect merchant ships and ensure freedom of maritime navigation and international trade to secure gulf waterways. Its operation covers the Strait of Hormuz, Bab al-Mandab, the Sea of Oman and the Arabian Gulf.

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BENEFIT, the Kingdom’s innovator and leading company in Fintech and electronic financial transactions service, has sponsored the BuildHer CityHack 2025 Hackathon, a two-day event spearheaded by the College of Engineering and Technology at the Royal University for Women (RUW).
Aimed at secondary school students, the event brought together a distinguished group of academic professionals and technology experts to mentor and inspire young participants.
More than 100 high school students from across the Kingdom of Bahrain took part in the hackathon, which featured an intensive programme of training workshops and hands-on sessions. These activities were tailored to enhance participants’ critical thinking, collaborative problem-solving, and team-building capabilities, while also encouraging the development of practical and sustainable solutions to contemporary challenges using modern technological tools.
BENEFIT’s Chief Executive Mr. Abdulwahed AlJanahi, commented: “Our support for this educational hackathon reflects our long-term strategic vision to nurture the talents of emerging national youth and empower the next generation of accomplished female leaders in technology. By fostering creativity and innovation, we aim to contribute meaningfully to Bahrain’s comprehensive development goals and align with the aspirations outlined in the Kingdom’s Vision 2030—an ambition in which BENEFIT plays a central role.”
Professor Riyadh Yousif Hamzah, President of the Royal University for Women, commented: “This initiative reflects our commitment to advancing women in STEM fields. We're cultivating a generation of creative, solution-driven female leaders who will drive national development. Our partnership with BENEFIT exemplifies the powerful synergy between academia and private sector in supporting educational innovation.”
Hanan Abdulla Hasan, Senior Manager, PR & Communication at BENEFIT, said: “We are honoured to collaborate with RUW in supporting this remarkable technology-focused event. It highlights our commitment to social responsibility, and our ongoing efforts to enhance the digital and innovation capabilities of young Bahraini women and foster their ability to harness technological tools in the service of a smarter, more sustainable future.”
For his part, Dr. Humam ElAgha, Acting Dean of the College of Engineering and Technology at the University, said: “BuildHer CityHack 2025 embodies our hands-on approach to education. By tackling real-world problems through creative thinking and sustainable solutions, we're preparing women to thrive in the knowledge economy – a cornerstone of the University's vision.”